THEME 5 BREAKING BARRIERS Focus on ... allegories An allegory is a story with a hidden meaning – usually to teach a moral lesson.
For example, the story of ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ is an allegory because it is designed to teach a lesson about how perseverance and hard work will win in the end. Work with a partner to come up with some other examples of allegories.
Discuss
1. Why do you think the Wall was built? 2. What do you think is on the other side of the Wall? 3. With a partner, discuss what you think the message of this story might be.
Understand
1. (a) Match each of the following terms with their defi nition. Use the dictionary to help you.
Optimist Pessimist
Someone who believes in equal rights between the sexes
Someone who offers theories and views on profound questions about life
Philosopher Someone who is negative and assumes the worst Feminist
Someone who is hopeful and positive
(b) Put each of these words into a sentence of your own. (c) Add these words to the vocabulary builder on pages 1–2 of your Portfolio. (d) Which characters in the play are best represented by each of these terms?
2. What is character 2’s motto? Do you agree with it? 3. Name one theory about what is on the other side of the Wall. 4. Where does the Wall end? 5. (a) What is the AFITWIOTSWOTOS? (b) Come up with a better name for the AFITWIOTSWOTOS.
6. What do the people suspect happened to the man who catapulted over the Wall?
